She liked having the events a few blocks from home, she said. They were going to give the pedal tractor pull a try and later, attend the street dance.

Taylor Kunert, of Renwick, is a member of the community's fire department. He remembers the first Donkey Daze but never thought that he would be helping children spray water into a fire house or otherwise being part of the celebration.

One thing that did have him a little perplexed; he was still dry.

"I'm surprised," he said.

For Caden Hankins, 7, of Renwick, no special preparations were needed to hop onto a pedal tractor and move it and the sled over 26 feet down the course.

He said it was his third competition.

The secret to success ?

"Don't get excited," he said.

That advice, and a strong pair of legs combined a lot of effort earned him second place in his age division.

An ecumenical church service at 10 a.m. today will wrap up the festivities under the big tent on Main Street. In case of rain, it will be held at the Methodist church.